4×4 Off-Road ~ Grand Staircase ~ Kaiparowits
Trip Overview
Smokey Hollow Road is a scenic 14-mile one-way off-road route near Page, Arizona that winds up Warm Creek Canyon to Smokey Mountain Road on the Kaiparowits Plateau. The two-track 4×4 road offers a less-travelled adventure, passing shale and rocky sections with scenic overlooks along the way. Conditions of this road change frequently due to weather, and a high-clearance 4WD vehicle is mandatory, especially after rain, which can make shale and wash bottoms slick and difficult to pass.
Type of Road: Two track 4×4
Length: 14 Miles one way from NP230 to Smokey Mountain Road
Difficulty: Moderate/Challenging depending on road conditions
!WARNING! Flash Floods are frequent. Check weather forecast
Terrain: Shale (quickly turns to mud), Rocky Sections, Wash Bottom
Destination: Scenic Overlooks
Elevation Gain: 1590 feet from Big Water
Directions to the Road
Turn off of Highway 89 in Big Water onto Ethen Allen Street and drive for 0.3 miles. Then turn right at the sign in between two large yellow warehouse buildings that says Glen Canyon National Recreation Area – Highway 12 —- ( Hwy 12 is also known as County Road NP 230). A mile after the turn the road will become an improved gravel road suitable for all vehicles and you will come to Wahweap Creek crossing, under normal conditions the crossing is fine for any type of vehicle but beware during times of rain. Drive down NP 230 for 13 miles and take a left at the at the fork onto Smokey Hollow Road.
Smokey Hollow Road Drive Description
This enjoyable two track dirt road is a great addition to your Kaiparowits Plateau excursion. Less traveled and ideal for those seeking solitude and an off-the-beaten-path experience, the route follows the twists and turns of Warm Creek Canyon for about 14 miles. The terrain can be challenging, with sections requiring a high-clearance 4WD vehicle — especially after rain, when shale and wash bottoms become slick and difficult to pass. Road conditions are ever-changing as seasonal floods shift wash crossings and shale surfaces.
Smokey Hollow Road ultimately reaches the Smoky Mountain area on the Kaiparowits Plateau, long associated with underground coal-seam fires. The name Smoky Mountain and nearby Burning Hills reflect this geologic phenomenon, where deep coal seams burn or smolder beneath the surface, sometimes emitting heat and gas even though no visible flames appear at the top.